1 - Knowledge, Politics, and Midwifery
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 October 2009
Summary
Introduction
My interpretation of Plato's Theaetetus aims to give full weight to the political substance of the dialogue. Readers will be excused for thinking this aim should have produced a work considerably shorter than the one they now hold in their hands. It assuredly is not due to its political insight that the Theaetetus ranks among the most studied of Plato's dialogues. The dialogue earns that privileged place because of its penetrating examination of no less a question than what is the meaning of knowledge. In the rarefied atmosphere of such a question my consideration of the dialogue's political teaching may seem an unwelcome, because unwise, lowering of our sights. But I do not recommend that we look at politics instead of knowledge. Rather, I hope to show that Plato's treatment of the Theaetetus' pervasive theme can only be properly understood through careful attention to the dialogue's political character. To begin to establish the plausibility of my thesis I want to sketch the more prominent political features of the Theaetetus. I start with the dialogue's conclusion because it locates the Theaetetus as a whole in an eminently political context.
At the dialogue's end, Socrates makes this portentous announcement: “But now there's something I need to go and face in the courtyard of the king-archon, in response to the indictment which Meletus has drawn up against me (210d2–4).” With Socrates' walk to the courtyard he begins his inexorable march to death in an Athenian cell.
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- Information
- Knowledge and Politics in Plato's Theaetetus , pp. 1 - 11Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2008